“The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day justice emerges,” — Martin Luther King, Jr in “I have a Dream.”

Allan Nosworthy, graduate student in creative writing and member of The September 29th Movement, may be the only Iowa State student to go on a hunger strike.

On Monday, Sept. 22, Nosworthy wrote a letter to the editor stating he was beginning a hunger strike and would continue the strike until eight requests were met.

The requests are:

• A large increase in funding to all cultural studies programs target at increasing tenured faculty and program curriculum.

• The creation of an Asian/Asian American studies program.

• A large increase in funding to Carver Academy.

• A large increase in all MSA programs whose purpose is the retention and graduation of the students it serves.

• Re-open the naming process of Carrie Chapman Catt Hall.

• A commitment by ISU to renovate Morrill Hall into a Multi-Cultural Center.

• Funding for the Kuumba Multi-Cultural School.

• Improve the recruitment and retention of LGBT faculty in order to create a less hostile environment for LGBT students.

Nosworthy said in an interview Monday night that he will continue the hunger strike for as long as his body will hold out.

Monday’s letter grabbed the attention of many members of the ISU community.

The September 29th Movement

Many members of the Movement did not find out about Nosworthy’s decision until late Sunday night.

Meron Wondwosen, a leader of the Movement and president of Black Student Alliance, said Nosworthy’s hunger strike should be taken seriously.

“Allan is very serious about the hunger strike because the issues for which he and the Movement have been struggling for are vital for all non-majority students on this campus.”

Wondwosen said this is not about getting attention. She said it’s not a media stunt by the Movement.

“In the history of African Americans, it has always been life and death when it comes to fighting for things we believe in,” she said.

Wondwosen said she is concerned for Nosworthy’s well-being.

She said she hopes people will take a stand and stand up for what they believe in.

“I support and agree with his decision, we’ve been struggling for two years and what he’s doing intensifies the battle,” she said.

Wondwosen said students at ISU will not let Nosworthy die.

“I know that the people on this campus care too much about him to let him die,” she said.

Brian Johnson, member of the Movement’s central committee, said Nosworthy is “absolutely serious” about the strike. “That’s what’s astounding and frightening at the same time,” he said.

“To be honest, it’s upsetting someone I respect and have feelings about is doing this. At the same time, I know he’s doing this for the right reasons,” Johnson said.

“I just wish people would stop and think about what this says that a student felt driven to do this because the administration won’t even seriously meet with students who have these concerns,” he said.

Johnson said he is concerned about the effects the hunger strike will have on Nosworthy, even though Nosworthy said he has prepared for the strike.

Watching a friend endure a hunger strike will be difficult, Johnson said. “Allan is probably one of the most intelligent and courageous people I have ever met. I know this is a decision he has thought a lot about and I support him completely.”

Milton McGriff, member of the Movement, agreed that Nosworthy is dead serious about the hunger strike.

“I was not upset in the least [when I found out]. I realized that it was the right time. I understood,” he said.

McGriff said, “when you’re confronting racism and white supremacy, it comes to life and death questions.”

McGriff said the biggest question now will be how many people on campus will support Nosworthy.

“If enough people are going to support him, then we may not have to take it too far. Allan will take it as far as he will have to take it for Jischke to come down out of the ivory tower,” he said.

McGriff said he is concerned about the outcome, but he has faith that people will support Nosworthy. He said all of the members of the Movement are behind Nosworthy.

“I love him. He’s a brother, he’s my brother. We’re going to become strong, quick,” McGriff said.

Jay Berry, adviser of BSA and temporary professor of English, said he also believes Nosworthy is serious about the hunger strike.

“He seriously committed to the Movement,” he said.

Berry, a Movement supporter, said Nosworthy has thought about doing the hunger strike for a long time.

Berry said he hopes some changes come from Nosworthy’s hunger strike.

“I wish the changes were possible without something as drastic as this. But it seems the administration has been reluctant to talk about some of the issues Nosworthy is addressing,” he said.

The Administration

ISU President Martin Jischke said he is concerned that Nosworthy not do anything to jeopardize his health.

“He has expressed he is a bright, articulate person,” Jischke said. “I have had many discussions with him and have enjoyed them.”

Jischke said his initial concerns are for Nosworthy’s well-being. He said he has written a letter to Nosworthy.

“There will time to discuss the other issues, but my first concern is for his well-being. And I hope that he will take care of himself and that he is seeking the proper guidance,” he said.

Iowa State administration members Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs , and Kathleen Mackay, dean of students, expressed their concerns and opinions about Nosworthy’s hunger strike.

“I think first and foremost my concerns are about him and his health,” Hill said.

Hill said he and university officials want to help Nosworthy remain healthy during his strike.

“I understand the commitment,” Hill said.

He said university officials need to meet with Nosworthy and discuss his proposals. Hill said he may contact Nosworthy himself.

“My initial concern is what happens with him with this strike. That’s my whole concern. That would be a tragedy. I’m hoping that we can avoid a tragedy,” Hill said.

Mackay said she is surprised by Nosworthy’s decision to endure a hunger strike.

“I was surprised by it, but I know Allan is a student of strong convictions,” MacKay said. She said she knows Nosworthy and has worked with him in student leadership programs.

“In the past, if he has said something — he has gone through with it,” she said.

Doctor’s opinion

Dr. Mark Blaedel, director of the Student Health Center, said, “We’d have to regard this as a dangerous practice medically and we’re concerned about what he’s doing.”

Blaedel said a healthy person “can fast for weeks to maybe a month or more, but then you start having significant medical problems.”

After the first three or four days of fasting, he said, the way a body derives energy changes.

First, the body starts losing fat, then it starts losing muscle, and after that severe problems develop, he said.

The body grows very weak, blood pressure falls ,which can cause fainting, metabolism slows so a person always feels cold, and the immune system begins to fail so infections are easier to get and harder to fight.

“These are just some of the things that can happen,” Blaedel said. “The best thing he can do is to fast with somebody who can monitor his condition,” he said.